Parallel, A Brand Agency’s Post

We believe that designerly skills of engaging in discussion about the material world and the built environment is essential to addressing complex challenges. Making enables dialogue about what was made, which enables making more suitable things in suatable ways to achieve the preferred outcome. Complex challenges are complex because it’s so difficult to agree on what resources to convene, and what interventions those resources should be shaped into. It’s so common that groups of decision makers endlessly debate and plan before taking any action. Rhode Island School of Design first year undergraduates establish an entirely different relationship to taking action. At the RISD Center for Complexity we develop projects that draw next generation artists and designers into addressing the intractable issues of our day for exactly this reason. See the link below to read more about how first year undergraduates learn at RISD.

Maine College of Art & Design is excited to announce the launch of online learning. Born out of a desire to meet increasing workforce demands and to further our mission to educate artists and designers, our online learning graduate programs will help us to reach art educators, leaders, and administrators across the country. MECA&D will offer a fully online Master of Arts in Education program beginning in Fall 2025. Learn more about online learning at MECA&D:  #NewPossibilities #OnlineLearning #ArtEducation #UpSkill #GradPrograms #MaineCollegeofArtandDesign #MECA&DOnline #MECA&D #MaineCollegeofArtandDesignOnline

🌟 Embracing the Art of Learning 🌟 I had a profound conversation with my 11-year-old son recently about educational progression and university life. As I explained that university involves a different style of learning—where lecturers provide the framework and students must take initiative to deepen their understanding—he paused and asked, “So, it’s like a picture?” Curious, I probed further, and he beautifully articulated his thoughts: “They draw the outline, and you have to colour it in!” His words resonated deeply with me. This analogy not only encapsulated higher education but also life itself. The outline represents the foundational knowledge and structure, while the colouring symbolizes our individual effort, creativity, and perspective. This simple yet powerful insight stayed with me throughout the evening. It reminded me that our skills, individualism, and innovative spirit are what fill in the outlines we’re given. Just like in art, the outcome of our learning journey can range from a masterpiece to a mere scribble, depending on how much of ourselves we put into it. As Helen Frankenthaler once said, “The difference between a good painting and a great painting is typically five strokes. And they're usually the five boldest strokes in the painting.” What’s the boldest stroke you can make? #Learning #Education #Creativity #Innovation #PersonalGrowth

In May, I was honored to be nominated for the 2024 IDSA Student Merit Award through the University of Wisconsin - Stout chapter. I had the opportunity to present my work as a student and designer. As mentioned in my presentation, I am always open to design evolution and refinement through all stages of the design process, especially when clearly supported by research and user feedback. That is evident in the conclusion of this presentation which shows an in-progress of my senior capstone project. After valuable user and professional feedback, the solution was greatly reworked to better fit the needs of the user. The core shortcoming of the solution previewed is that it is trying to help everyone a little bit, therefore it is helping everyone only a little bit. The final solution utilizes a more targeted approach by focusing on a specific user group, graphic designers. For example, a graphic designer and an architect have different demands of their workspace, therefore, each needs a design optimized for those needs. I expanded upon the original research by really digging into the "why?" of my user's needs, not just the "what?". This uncovered unexplored opportunities for more sculptural aesthetics driven by the unique needs and interests of graphic designers. I also uncovered that most graphic designers interviewed don't utilize standing desks enough to justify that hardware compromising other aspects of their workstation needs. Those are just a couple examples of how being open to research and feedback will always lead a more successful product. Enjoy!

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By understanding these elements, students develop a comprehensive Understanding of art, allowing them to appreciate both the specific details and the overarching principles. This structured approach not only enriches their learning experience but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the arts. #ArtEducation #PYP #Grade3Art #CreativeLearning #ArtConcepts #ArtTopics #ArtFacts #LearningThroughArt #PrimaryYearsProgramme #ArtGeneralization #Education #ArtInSchools #StudentLearning #ArtExpression #CreativityInArt #AestheticLearning 4o

When speaking to students at University for the Creative Arts last week I rounded off a talk about my career with this slide below showing the varied range of my creative practice over the past 15 years (wow how time flies!) It's nice how student talks force you to look back over your career and looking back it's affirming to see how much fun I've had and how many weird and wonderful projects I've part of. I showed this slide because I never feel like I really have an aesthetic 'style' or look and feel that shows through the work I do, but these projects always seem so different and not very related (to me, at least). Upon reflection, I think the unifying thread running through all these is that I approach every project afresh, always considering the needs and experience of my audience and using that to guide my design choices first and foremost ... I don't come into a situation and impose my design decisions and 'design ego' on others but always see every project as a conversation, and I'm quite happy to see I am this type of creative person! tldr: student talks are great for figuring out why you do what you do, maybe we should all be doing them more regularly 🙃

Top Tips for Succeeding in Art Education

A gentle reminder from Baldwin: As educators we must emphasise on the role art plays in our life, instead of mindlessly encouraging students to draw/paint/sing/dance/sculpt... Too long we've pushed learners in these confined "talent houses", segregating their skill-sets without engaging them with the purpose of art. Learners must be encouraged to "create art" and understand that process and path of creation is one's own, that art finds its fine weavings with one's perspective on life, that art helps us to shape our life. If art doesn't do this, then all we engage them with is "art-integrated learning." Honestly I haven't seen any learning without art; learning itself is a process of art, so is your existence, and mine! #21stcenturylearning #understandingart #21stcenturyskills #criticalthinking #criticalthinkingskills #breakingbarriers #teachingwithoutborders

#RRR- #ReCollect - #Review - #Reload The success of the QIP would not have been possible without the active contribution and unwavering dedication of each one of you Team SOAD. Your efforts in recollecting past experiences, reviewing our teaching and coordination roles, and reloading our energy for the upcoming semester have been invaluable. Let's keep the momentum going. Mansha Samreen, KOUSTAV NAG, Chandni Aggarwal,